Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes is considering injured NFL draft prospects, including Jermod McCoy, on a case-by-case basis. He previously traded up for players like Jameson Williams despite their injury histories.
Brad Holmes hasn't shied away from taking players coming serious injuries in the NFL draft.
Holmes, the Detroit Lions general manager, traded up for Jameson Williams in 2022 less than four months after Williams tore the ACL in his left knee in his final college game, and Holmes spent Day 2 picks on players such as Levi Onwuzurike, Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and Hendon Hooker despite their injury histories in college.
Holmes said he weighs injuries players are currently recovering from on a case-by-case basis, and does it in conjunction with ones they've dealt with in the past.
"Take Jamo," Holmes said in his pre-draft press conference Monday, April 13 in Allen Park. "That was really his first major injury. We felt pretty good about what the injury was and felt pretty good about with where medical advancements are at this point, we felt pretty good about that.
"Same thing with Hendon. Hendon, I donāt think his injury was the reason why it didnāt work out that way. But yeah, you just got to look at everything.Ā Itās just, youāve just got to feel good about it, but itās case-by-case for sure.ā
Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy missed the 2025 season with a torn ACL.
Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy missed the 2025 season with a torn ACL.
Hooker, like Williams, was coming off a torn ACL when the Lions took him in the third round of the 2023 draft, and NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah linked the Lions to another talented player coming off a significant knee injury in a conference call Tuesday.
Tennessee's Jermod McCoy is widely considered one of the top two cornerbacks in this year's draft and could be available when the Lions are on the clock with their first-round pick No. 17 overall next week.
McCoy missed all of the 2025 season after tearing the ACL in his right knee in an offseason workout.
He had four interceptions and nine pass breakups in his one season on the field at Tennessee in 2024, when he was a second-team all-SEC pick by the conference's coaches, and had two interceptions and seven PBUs in five starts as a true freshman at Oregon State.
If he's available at No. 17, Jeremiah said McCoy will present the Lions, who also have pressing needs at offensive tackle and defensive end, with a "fascinating" choice.
Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Jermod McCoy takes down Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Mario Craver during the second half at Neyland Stadium, Nov. 9, 2024.
Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Jermod McCoy takes down Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Mario Craver during the second half at Neyland Stadium, Nov. 9, 2024.
"Jermod McCoy has top-10 talent," Jeremiah said. "Like, itās legit. All his tape [in 2024] is as good as anything youāll see in this draft and he plays big, heās explosive."
In some ways, McCoy's case as a prospect is similar to the one the Lions gambled on with Williams in 2022. Both are freakish playmakers who might have been top-10 picks ā LSU's Mansoor Delane is the other top cornerback in this year's draft ā if not for their injuries and the Lions can take a patient getting the player back on the field.
Williams barely played as a rookie in 2022, when he had one catch in six games. And while McCoy is much further along in his rehab ā The Ringer draft analyst Todd McShay wrote on the social media site X that McCoy was cleared during last season but chose to get ready for the draft instead ā the Lions don't necessarily need him to start Day 1.
The Lions return starting cornerbacks D.J. Reed and Terrion Arnold, though Arnold's future remains clouded after he was connected to a kidnapping and robbery case in Florida. Arnold has denied involvement in the case through his attorney and has not been charged with a crime. Six people are currently awaiting trial in the case, including several of his associates.
Holmes declined to say Monday how Arnold's situation will factor into his draft philosophy.
McCoy reportedly ran the 40-yard dash in the 4.38-second range at his pro day, though Jeremiah said his change of direction work was "not totally there yet."
"So how much risk is associated with that?" Jeremiah said. "Does that cause him to slide or fall? Itās a little bit of a gamble there with the health situation but, man, if you hit on that one, if heās there and you pull the trigger and hit on him, man, youāve got a dynamic difference maker."
Georgia offensive lineman Monroe Freeling runs during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium, March 1, 2026 in Indianapolis.
Georgia offensive lineman Monroe Freeling runs during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium, March 1, 2026 in Indianapolis.
If the Lions don't want to pick McCoy or he doesn't make it to 17, Jeremiah said two offensive tackle prospects ā Georgia's Monroe Freeling and Alabama's Kadyn Proctor ā have been connected to the Lions by people across the NFL.
Freeling is a raw but high-upside prospect who started 17 games at Georgia and projects as a left tackle in the NFL. Proctor is a three-year starter at left tackle who dealt with weight problems at Alabama. He weighed in at a slimmed-down 352 pounds at the combine and could play either tackle spot or inside at guard.
"I donāt know that theyāre both there [at 17]," Jeremiah said. "Probably a good chance theyāre both not there, but I think thereās a good chance one of them is, so those two players would make some sense for them with where theyāre picking."
What injuries have affected NFL draft prospect Jermod McCoy?
Details about Jermod McCoy's specific injuries have not been disclosed, but he is linked to the Lions as an injured prospect under consideration.
How has Brad Holmes approached drafting injured players in the past?
Brad Holmes has previously drafted players with serious injuries, such as Jameson Williams, and evaluates each case based on current recovery and past injury history.
What was the outcome of the Lions' 2022 draft involving injured players?
In the 2022 draft, the Lions traded up for Jameson Williams, who was recovering from an ACL tear, and selected other players with injury histories like Levi Onwuzurike and Hendon Hooker.
What factors does Brad Holmes consider when drafting injured players?
Holmes considers the severity of current injuries, the player's recovery progress, and their past injury history on a case-by-case basis.
Related Articles
Sports
LIV Golf is still going, but its days seem numbered and probably always were
LIV Golf's future appears uncertain as reports suggest Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund may withdraw funding after investing $5 billion. Despite assurances for the 2026 season, the tour faces challenges from low ratings and strong competition from the PGA Tour.
ESPN NewsĀ·Ā·1 min read
MLBĀ·Recap
Angels' Mike Trout hits another HR to join Aaron Judge in rare Yankee Stadium history
Mike Trout's 446-foot HR joins him with Aaron Judge in Yankee Stadium lore.
Yahoo SportsĀ·Ā·1 min read
MLBĀ·Feature
Tigers projected to take a gamble on the upside of a 6'3" prep bat
Detroit Tigers projected to take a risk on a 6'3" prep bat in the MLB draft.